I will be in Copenhagen and Stockholm and want to attend some live music concerts, but I only speak English. I'm assuming I'll be able to get by at hotels and bus/train stations, but was wondering if I'll be able to get by with just English at concert venues? Buying tickets, paying cover charge, finding empty seats, buying food or beers, etc?
I'm hoping to learn some language basics before I go, but that would be mainly the Please, Thank You, Hello, things.
I was more concerned about "Is this seat taken?" or "How do I find this seat?" type questions.
Posted by
Henson, Florida, USA
466 posts
English is pretty widely spoken in both of those cities. You should be fine!!!!!!
Posted by
Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA
606 posts
In Sweden, the only way to find someone who doesn't speak English is to visit a rural retirement home or a nursery/daycare center! Denmark is much the same.
You will not have any language problems.
In Swedish thank you is "tack" pronounced like it looks.
Yes is Ja, pronounced "yah".
No is Nej, pronounced "nay".
They will appreciate these few words from you, but they really aren't necessary either.
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
Saw an official statistic that said something like 85 percent of the adult population speak conversational English.
Never had any problems in either place.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5529 posts
It is rare to come across someone in Scandinavia who does not speak English. In Sweden, students typically begin studying English in the first grade and they study for 9 years. TV shows and movies are shown in the original language with subtitles (not dubbed) unless they are specifically for young children. You will not hava a problem, particularly at concert venues which are likely to have many young people.
English is fine to use and no one will be offended if you ask a question in English.
Posted by
Freedonia
15063 posts
A former neighbor of mine has a brother who has lived in Sweden for over 20 years. He speaks nothing but English and has never had a problem.
His wife is Norwegian. He spoke to his kids in English, she spoke to them in Norwegian, and they spoke Swedish in school. At a young age, they could differentiate between the three languages without a problem.
I agree, though, that it is polite to learn a few words in their languages.
Posted by
Copenhagen, Denmark
265 posts
My grandma doesn't speak English - she's 90 years old...
Everybody under 65 speaks at least basic English.